Erica

ladolcevita

Erica

Not all who wander are lost...

I'm a roll with the punches kinda girl that loves life, design and adventure. Currently living in the bubble known as Orange County. You'll find me happiest enjoying the simplier things in life.....good company a glass of wine and lots of laughs. I believe in passion, finding what you love and doing it. I truely believe that, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." -gandhi

Just a thought:

Why use money for materialistic things that will one day be irrelevant when you can live from your backpack anywhere in the world for an extended period of time? In general, I now want to try to throw out the standard itenerary on life with yesterdays map. I want to strive to be a globetrotter of sorts...really experiencing others cultures and letting the wind carry me to the things that really pull me.

Poke around a little and enjoy a glimpse into my life.

Dreaming Big.

North America August 21st 2010

ladolcevita

I'm reveling in being home, and it's gotten me really excited to look ahead to my next years of my life. I've been inspired to make a list of things to do this year, next year and years to come. I don't like a lot of rules and restrictions, but great things to aspire to. Here's my list of goals in no particular order and yes of course my list is always changing. I can't wait. 1. Travel back to Europe. 2. Be fluent in a foreign language. 3. Thailand...maybe. 4. Volunteer. 5. Ride an elephant. 6. Pay off my student loans. ughh! 7. Climb an active volcano. 8. Machu Picchu definitely. 9. Own a house. 10. Visit Guanajuato, Mexico..a hidden gem. shhhhh. 11. Pet a tiger. 12. Carve a pumpkin. 13. Start a website. 14. ... read more

Cinque Terre!

Europe » Italy » Liguria » Cinque Terre August 2nd 2010

Monterosso al Mare

ladolcevita

Long, white sand beaches. Calm, clear, blue ocean water. Restaurants lining the shore. Sunbathers reading and soaking all the vitamin A the sun has to offer. Quick! What comes to your mind? You could be thinking about a beach on the Yucatan peninsula. Or Cancun. Or the coast of Hawaii, for that matter. In each instance, you would be completely correct. Apart from it's physical location in Italy, there's not much about being on Cinque Terre that's particularly Italian. If you were kidnapped, blindfolded, and dropped here without knowing anything, you could very well think that you were in Bali. This could very well be anywhere in the world - it just happens that the Italian people inhabit this sliver of gorgeous earth. There's something to be said about being able to enjoy the scenery here; ... read more

Adventures from Firenze to Pisa

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Pisa August 2nd 2010

Final destination...Pisa!

ladolcevita

We had our bags packed. We picked up some lunch for the road. Our iPods were loaded with enough tunes to keep us busy for hours. So, as we headed out on our trip to Pisa, we only had one question. "How do we get to Pisa and where the heck is it?" I'll save you the drama and let you know that we did make it there safely. After somehow finding the metro and eventually walking to the train station. The smart people at Trenitalia have large signs with red lettering that state a town named Pisa can be reached by hoping on a train for 4 hours. The real question that you are asking, though, is: Why didn't we bring a map? Or print out directions? Or look it up online? Why did we ... read more

Ciao bella

Europe » Italy » Lazio » Rome July 25th 2010

Rome

ladolcevita

Italy is bursting with history. I can't get enough there is so much to see and do. I'm in love with their architecture the aged walls really are impressive along with their attention to detail. Just to sit and think of all the people thy hve seen and been at these historical landmarks is pretty remarkable. Italy is definitely a place I will come back to. I adore it. The people are wonderful the food is delicious and the atmosphere is everything. As everyone says here life is beautiful. So far we have seen piazza del popolo, the Spanish steps, palazzo montecitorio, the pantheon, monumento a vittorio emanuele, the Colosseum, the arch of Constantine, the trevino fountain and many churches. The Trevi fountain was incredible probably one of my favorite so far. The ... read more

Mykonos....a little slice of paradise

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Mykonos July 24th 2010

Mykonos

ladolcevita

Mykonos is crazy! A definite party island. We stayed at the mykonian mare hotel in Agios Stefanos. The hotel was lovely...pretty much a white contemorary villa. The decor was beautiful and the pool was even better. We arrived here on Thursday and the first thing we realized was that this was one windy island! Mykonos is all about partying and having a good time whether it's laying out at the beach, going to the center or hitting the bars and clubs at night. What we learned fast was the typical Mykonos day which is to hit the beach at 5 yes I said 5 and everyone hangs out till midnight drinking and dancing at paradise beach. Paradise beach has the nicest clear blue waters. We arrived here pretty early not realizing the time schedule most people ... read more

Santorini....literally to die for.

Europe » Greece » South Aegean » Santorini July 21st 2010

Santorini, Greece

ladolcevita

Breathtaking...amazing...pretty much there are no words to do this place justice. It is unreal. Santorini is one of those places that you see incredible pictures of in brochures and on postcards. Whitewashed buildings with bright blue trim all perched precariously on top of one another, only these ones are doing it 100+ meters above the water on the edge of a volcano crater. We stayed in the heart of Santorini....Fira. Fira is very much a laid back beach town with quads and mopeds everywhere. The roads are so narrow that everyone is either on those or walking on foot. We spent the first day taking it all in exploring the quaint and charming town and talking to some of the locals. We also ate at this amazing restaurant call Naoussa...it was delicious! The next day we ... read more

Jet lagged and loving it

Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens July 19th 2010

ladolcevita

Because really, if you're not lagged to a stanstill, how can you tell you've gone somwhere? The wisdom of jet lag. A rich and naturally achieved state of philosophical disarray. Yes, it's sometimes inconvenient to feel grouchy or lost or incoherent but that lost feeling is a significant part of travel, a reminder that distance is real, that miles aren't just something we tally up in our frequent flier accounts. Sitting at home at the computer it's easy to believe the world is small. But it doesn't feel small when you're out in it. This it seems to me, is one of the profound gifts of being alive now: the ability to get up and go everywhere, to experience the world in a kind of rush that previous generations couldn't have dreamed of. We should savor ... read more

The bold and beautiful acropolis

Europe » Greece » Attica » Athens July 19th 2010

The Acropolis

ladolcevita

"A trip to Greece without going to the Acropolis would feel incomplete." I've heard this time and again, and I finally understand. It's the sort of place that not only is the construction impressive, but the landscape is so dramatic you sort of can't help to stand with your mouth and eyes wide-open taking it all in. The physical labor that it took to create the Acropolis is mind boggling. "Discovering the Acropolis" In terms of European history, Athens is one of the oldest cities on the continent. Although much has changed over the past 2500 years, you can still imagine what this great city would of been like at its prime. Why the Acropolis is amazing: 1. They built on a flattened limestone rock. They picked this place for its central location and beautiful surroundings ... read more

There's something about all those zipper compartments...

North America July 15th 2010

ladolcevita

I woke up this morning with excitement for travel pumping through my veins. I must admit I've already spent some time walking around my house needlessly "practicing" carrying around my backpack, pretending to be headed somewhere but today I actually started really packing for Greece and Italy! Ready or not I am headed out on my first adventure with eyes and ears wide open to experience the big bad and beautiful. woohoo!... read more

Why I want to travel...

North America July 14th 2010

ladolcevita

Of course there is the usual....to see new things, historical landmarks, meet new people, see how different cultures live, etc. etc. but the main reason I want to travel can be summed up in one phrase: Carpe Diem. Seize the day really means a lot to me. I see time as being spent like money. You only get so much, and you choose how and where you'll spend it. Friends, family, giving to others, and being silly usually top my list, but taking time to grow as a person is invaluable. I believe in dreaming big and empowering yourself, because you never know what great things you can accomplish. =)... read more

Joined	July 16th 2010	Trips	1
Last Login	November 19th 2010	Followers	0
Status	BLOGGER	Follows	0
Blogs	12	Guestbook	3
Photos	49	Forum Posts	0